15 killed in Kenya floods, scores of families displaced

NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenyan officials said Friday that at least 15 people have drowned and scores of families have been displaced across the East African nation during two days of heavy rainfall that caused flooding in urban and rural areas.

The deaths happened as flood and river waters swept through Kenyan towns that had experienced drought months earlier, officials said. Kenya declared the drought a national disaster that put thousands of people at risk of starvation last year.

Four of those killed were in a truck carrying charcoal in Kitui County that was swept away by the flooded River Enziu. Mwingi East Police Chief Paul Munene said four of the truck’s eight occupants were rescued before the truck was engulfed with water.

The deluge also submerged vehicles in Nairobi’s affluent neighbourhoods and flooded middle class areas. Porters made a booming business carrying commuters to work on their backs.